7/17/12

Five years ago today (July 18, 2007), having considered the possibility for a long time, I decided to see if I had enough cyber-savvy to set up a blog. To my surprise, the task was a simple one: Blogger does most of the work for you and the rest is fairly intuitive.

By the end of the afternoon I had a blog on line - here's my first post.

Getting your own page on line is the easiest part of the venture. The real work comes in the writing but it's in the writing that one finds joy.

Over five years' time, the direction of this page has gradually changed although the focus has always been and remains on spirituality, prayer and the Sunday liturgy. Beginning with Lent 2012, a daily post, Praying 10 Minutes Today, has become the anchor piece here, along with a weekly Monday Morning Offering (MMO) which I began writing 4 years ago. I'm pleased that these posts on prayer have been well received. Your feedback and support in the comboxes and email, on FaceBook and Twitter, as well as in person, have been encouraging and helpful.

I love writing these pieces because the work brings me first to my own reflection on the scriptures and then to sharing with you.

(As I've mentioned several times, the substance of these posts is sometimes right from my own prayer; sometimes from prayer and struggles others have shared with me; and sometimes a combination of the two. Most of these posts are based on verses from the psalms and, as you know, the psalmist himself is always sharing with us his praise, struggles, laments and wisdom.)

Your support has been much appreciated! So many of you have been in touch to let me know that 10 Minutes a Day and MMO have helped you establish a daily rhythm for prayer. It's a joy to share in that with you.

I'm grateful to you who have written to say that a particular day's prayer was "just what you needed" at the moment.

A man who coaches several youth sports teams shared with me how he often takes the kernel of the daily prayer's message and weaves it in to his pep talks, wanting to give his players more than just instruction on playing ball.

My thanks to readers for sharing with me how you've forwarded these posts to family and friends.

Priests have written to thank me for these prayer posts which they've used in their ministry (parish and campus) and for themselves in their own prayer lives.

To cyber-friends in the US, the UK and Down Under who have linked to and retweeted my posts -- a big thank you!

You've visited this blog over 655,000 times, to read some 4,030 posts, since July 19, 2007. I thank you for your faithful support and I praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Years ago, I remember searching online after hearing you speak at different archdiocesan events. I was a reader of the homilies which were posted online for the former parish in Concord. This blog has been a blessing to me. I even find myself going back and re reading some of your former posts, depending on my mood of the day. Also, I have used, or adapted certain prayers at parish meetings, giving you credit of course. Thank you!

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.